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Monday, 13 April 2015

A Bank of Wisdom

India, a land of J C Bose, H J Bhabha, C V Raman, S Ramanujam, Rabindra Nath Tagore, R K Narayan, and many more great personalities in the field of Science, Mathematics, Literature; but it's shameful to know that India has the largest number of illiterate people in the world. According to UNESCO's Education For All (EFA) Global Monitoring Report 2013-14, India has the highest population of illiterates, i.e. 287 million or 37% of the total population of such people across the world. Just imagine more than one-third of the population of illiterate people in the world are Indians. What a worthy achievement in our 67 years of Independence! In the words of Gandhiji, illiteracy is India's shame and sin. The report said that insufficient financing is one of the main obstacles in achieving education for all. Aid to education fell by $1 billion in 2010 and 2011 in developing countries; said EFA 2013-14. These facts cannot be denied and hid under the curtains. Today illiteracy has become a major challenge facing our nation. We have also voted illiteracy as the biggest concern for India, with 18.78% votes in #India4India survey.
Only by reading this and expressing our deep concern over the issue is not going to help our country in any way. That's what TATA Capital believes and has launched a 'Do Right' initiative, that aims to spread the spirit of 'Doing Right' and providing people a platform to do the same. One such platform is the 'Journey of Doing Right' which aims to bring together Indians to provide solutions to the biggest challenges that India faces.

An Initiative

Varanasi, situated on the banks of Ganga river is considered as the holiest city in our country. It is a powerful hub of religious activity, culture and history. Millions of people visit Varanasi to take a 'holy dip' in Maa Ganga and to wash away a lifetime of sins in the sacred water. But this sacred water is exhausted with neglect over the years that has made this city as one of the most polluted sections of Maa Ganga.

On the bank of the Mother lot of children waste their time by engaging in various trades and activities like selling tea, rag-picking, working in hotels, etc. These children give less importance to their to their basic education. But, in the oldest city of the world, their are certain individuals with a contemporary way of thinking. To help these children, the NGO Guria, under the leadership of Ajeet Singh, a 'Do Righter', started an innovative 'Boat School'. This 'Boat School' has changed the philosophy of learning. Here children spend two hours after their regular school day, and study, play, or revise without any pressures or tensions. These children who are deprived of their childhood and cannot attend regular school are brought into this 'haven of learning' where they learn Mathematics, English, Computer, Hindi, Drawing and much more. Moreover this initiative creates a stimulating environment for these children where they can learn teamwork by performing activities like role-playing, playing games with rules, etc. This model can aid in social and moral development of children by performing various co-curricular activities.

They need your support

Most of children attending 'Boat School' now, were not attending any school earlier. The team of NGO Guria motivated them and put them in this haven of learning. This 'Boat School' has lot more potential and further enhancements can surely be made. What this school really needs is a magical transformation. This transformation would include:

restoration and redecoration of the interiors,

making a library,

providing them with stationery, a painting kit, educational toys and CDs and a computer.

The total cost of the makeover of the boat and providing all the basic facilities is estimated to be Rs. 90,000. But to take this initiative and make it a reality, your support is needed. Providing the children with an enhanced learning atmosphere will make them an inspiration for millions across the country.

You can help

Help this 'harbour of learning' get a magical transformation that will ensure the most ideal environment for learning. You can help by contributing or spreading the message across your social networks with #ScholarShip. Remember a small effort from our sides can bring a huge change in the lives of these children. Please visit http://doright.in/ to read more about the 'Varanasi Boat School' and to donate for the noble cause.